Panasonic Announces 2010 F Series Digital Cameras

Panasonic Lumix DMC-F2

PANASONIC’S NEW LUMIX F-SERIES DIGITAL CAMERAS DELIVER ON STYLE AND CONVENIENCE FOR ENTRY-LEVEL USERS

New LUMIX F3 Digital Camera is Compact with 4x Optical Zoom and High Definition Video Recording Capabilities

MISSISSAUGA, ON (January 7, 2010) – Panasonic Canada Inc. introduced today two new entry-level digital cameras designed with simplicity in mind and a focus on style and performance. The 12.1-Megapixel LUMIX DMC-F3 and 10.1-Megapixel DMC-F2 have an impressive 4x optical zoom, considering their small size, as well as Panasonic’s shooting assistant, Auto Scene Mode. The LUMIX F3 also records dynamic High Definition video in 1280 x 720p at a smooth 30 fps, while both shoot in WVGA (848 x 480) and normal VGA (640 x 480). The LUMIX F3 is equipped with a 28mm (28-112mm) wide-angle lens and a 2.7-inch 230,000-dot resolution LCD, designed for clear visibility when shooting still photos and videos. The F2 has a 33mm (33-132mm) lens and a 2.5-inch LCD. Both models feature a high-sensitivity CCD sensor and an Extra Optical Zoom function which extends zoom power to 7.8x (F3) and 7.1x (F2).

“The Panasonic LUMIX F-Series was designed for the casual and frequent user who wants a digital camera that is not only small and stylish in design, but has sophisticated features to help enrich the photo-taking experience,” said Doug Borbath, Senior Product Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Canada Inc. “With extended zoom and Auto Scene Mode, the LUMIX F-Series cameras can take high-quality photos and videos, while still being easy-to-use and small enough to fit in your pocket.”

Other features include Auto Scene Mode, which when activated, includes the following three shooting-assist functions:

• Intelligent ISO Control prevents the blurring of a moving subject by optimizing shutter speed and ISO settings to render sharp, clear images. Unwanted red-eyes are digitally corrected (F3 only) and backlight compensation automatically activates.
• Face Detection helps clearly capture faces and ensures that the faces being focused on are shot with the appropriate exposure. This is very helpful when trying to focus on a person’s face rather than surrounding objects.
• Intelligent Scene Selector automatically selects one of six scene modes that best suit the shooting situation – Macro, Portrait, Scenery, Night Portrait, Night Scenery – plus the newlyadded, Sunset.
• Battery life on both models is strong, taking up to 300 images on a single charge.1

Panasonic Lumix DMC-F3

Additionally, the Panasonic LUMIX F3 has a Digital Image Stabilizer which helps suppress hand-shake and prevent blurry photos. The Panasonic LUMIX F3 has an auto power LCD function which detects light conditions and automatically boosts the LCD backlighting by a maximum of 40 per cent when shooting outdoors to ensure clarity and visibility of the monitor.

In addition to supporting conventional SD/SDHC Memory Cards, both models are compatible with SDXC (SD eXtended Capacity) Memory Cards. This includes Panasonic’s newly announced 48 GB2 and 64 GB SDXC Memory Cards which enable high capacity content storage and fast data transfer speeds. The cameras are compatible with Windows 7.3

The Panasonic LUMIX F-Series will be available in the first quarter of 2010 and will come in black. Pricing to be announced at a later date.

Panasonic products are marketed in Canada by Panasonic Canada Inc. (PCI). PCI is an affiliate of Panasonic Corporation (PC) of Japan, one of the world’s largest producers of electronic and electric products for consumer, business, and industrial use. Consumers seeking more information on the company’s products can call Panasonic’s Customer Care Centre at 1-800-561-5505 or access Panasonic’s home page at www.panasonic.ca.